Bendigo community mourns death of popular teacher Peter Hunt

Police have confirmed the man killed in a cycling accident outside of Bendigo yesterday morning was popular teacher and well-known sportsman Peter Hunt.

The 66-year-old, of California Gully, was out on a social ride when he crashed into an embankment while negotiating a corner on North Harcourt Road in Sedgwick.

Ambulance officers performed CPR at the scene but were unable to revive him.

Mr Hunt was widely known in the Bendigo schooling community, having taught for almost four decades, and in the football, triathlon and wider sporting communities.

Mr Hunt retired from Weeroona College Bendigo – formerly White Hills Secondary College – in 2010 after spending 37 years at the school.

Principal Leanne Preece said he was a highly regarded teacher.

“Weeroona College Bendigo was saddened to hear of the news of the passing of a well loved and respected teacher for more than 30 years, Peter Hunt,” she said.

“There are many colleagues, students and parents past and present who knew him as a dedicated PE teacher.”

Upon his retirement, Mr Hunt told the Bendigo Advertiser he planned to travel and tutor students undertaking their VCE.

He was also well-known in local sporting circles. In 2007, he was awarded life membership of the Bendigo Triathlon Club.

Mr Hunt chaired the triathlon club’s first meeting in 1988, greatly increasing the popularity of the sport in Bendigo.

The club celebrated its 25th anniversary three years ago and has grown to more than 140 members.

David Meade, who spent more than 25 years at the club with Mr Hunt, said he was a fitness inspiration to many.

“He was such a wonderful person and a wonderful athlete, he certainly inspired many people in Bendigo, including me. He would always be happy to lend us advice,” he said.

“He was the ultimate physical educator. He would run or ride to work every day.

“We’re just devastated.”

Mr Meade remembers Mr Hunt recovering from back surgery after becoming injured during a javelin lesson at school.

After a quick recovery, Mr Hunt competed in a 70.3 Ironman competition, which involves a 1.9 kilometre swim, a 90 kilometre bike ride and a 21.1 km run.

“We all have vivid memories of him as such as strong, fit man,” Mr Meade said.

Mr Hunt was a senior football coach at Sandhurst Football Netball Club in 1989 and 1990, and at Eaglehawk Football Netball Club for two years in the 1990s.

He played the majority of his senior football with South Bendigo Football Netball Club, as well as in the Loddon Valley Football Netball League.

He passed on his years of experience on the football field to the younger generations, coaching several junior representative teams.

His son, Ben Hunt, was a former Bendigo Braves player. He now lives overseas working as the camps and community basketball manager with the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.

Former Braves coach David Flint said Mr Hunt was a “tremendous” person with an impeccable work ethic.

“[It] becomes really difficult when you lose such a terrific person in the community who has touched so many of our lives throughout the years,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Mick McCrann said Mr Hunt did not suffer a sudden health event during the bike ride on Monday morning.